Bihar Panchayat polls: 10-phased elections begin amid tight security

Amid tight security, the first phase of the panchayat polls in Bihar began on Sunday.

The State Election Commission has made security arrangements for peaceful, free and fair panchayat polls.

Over 61 lakhs voters will exercise their right of franchise to elect 27,925 representatives of Panchayati Raj Institution including members of Zilla Parishad, Mukhia, Sarpanch and Panchayat Samiti members. The 10 phase three-tier panchayat poll is being held to elect a total of 1161 members of zilla parishads, 11496 members of panchayat samitis, mukhiyas and sarpanchs in 8392 gram panchayats and 114733 members each in gram panchayat and gram kutcheries.

The 10 phase polling would be held on April 24 and April 28, May 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 and 30. The State Election Commission has established a control room which would be functional on polling days from 6 AM to 10 PM.

Altogether 50,000 armed personnel have been reportedly deployed for the first phase of 10-phase Bihar panchayat elections commencing.

Ahead of the panchayat elections, Naxals on Saturday blew up part of a school building in Bihar's Jamui, serving as polling booth. However, no casualty was reported.